How to select Antibacterial agent for antibacterial coatings

Selection of Antibacterial agent

Number of antibacterial agents and fungicides are available for antibacterial powder coating. However it can be broadly classified into three types, each type of additive has its own advantages and some disadvantages.

Natural antibacterial agent: They are difficult to handle as they posses relatively low boiling point.

Organic antibacterial agent: Though these additives are compatible with the resins they have a problem of low stability so that their efficiency is lost during the melting stage.

Inorganic antibacterial agent: It has high heat stability but shows poor solubility in the binder and some discoloration into water. It depends on the type of additive.

So while selecting the appropriate antibacterial agent for antibacterial powder the following points can be considered;

1. Efficiency at low dosage level
2. Solubility/compatibility with the binder
3. Antimicrobial effect against wide range of microbes such as bacteria, mold & fungi etc.
4. Rate of discoloration
5. Particle size of antibacterial agent (it plays an important role in migration of additive to the top surface of the coatings also it plays an important role in gloss reduction of the coatings)
6. Stability of antibacterial agent during processing & sustainability
7. AB agent should not produce visible bubbles in the coatings (indication of volatilizing of the active element)
8. Price/performance ratio
9. Environmental compliance & Regulatory guidance